Biography

Biography

Professional activities and awards:
The 2013 recipient of the Sue Townsend Award by the SC Coroner’s Association.

Gary Watts, the Richland County Coroner, is no stranger to public service. Prior to being elected as Coroner in 2001, he served as the Deputy Coroner in Richland County for more than 15 years. Since his career with the Coroner’s Office began in 1980 Watts has been involved in over 32, 000 death investigations. His professional experience also includes having served as a police officer, an Emergency Medical Technician, and an investigator with the Richland County Public Defender’s Office.

Gary Watts’ education prepared him for a career in public service. He is a graduate of the Institute of Police Technology and Management, University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. (This includes traffic, homicide, investigations, advanced traffic and traffic accident reconstruction). He also attended the SC Criminal justice Academy and St. Louis University School of Medicine where he received his certification as a Nationally Board Certified Death Investigator, D-ABMDI.

In addition to his experience and education, Gary Watts is also active in professional organizations, providing another avenue for supporting his community. He is a member of the SC Division of the International Association for Identification. He also serves as the President for the SC Coroner’s Association and as Chairman for the Richland County Child Health and Safety Council Child Fatality Review Committee. Gary Watts also served as the former Chairman for Midlands Safe Kids.

Gary Watts’ objective for his tenure as Richland County’s Coroner is to create the most experienced and modern office to work with law enforcement, the legal system, and our citizens. This will ensure that each case is quickly and fairly resolved, and always with respect to those involved. He also endeavors to develop a proactive approach to help reduce injuries and deaths by using new and innovative ideas in the community, with special attention to traffic and other accidental causes.